Reuters: Droughts, Russia’s war in Ukraine reduce world grain stocks to 10-year low

2:57 PM

Zelensky signs new sanctions on Russian propagandists, military-linked entities.

The new sanctions target 39 individuals and 60 legal entities, some based in Russia and China. The measures include asset freezes, trade restrictions, bans on property acquisition, termination of licenses and permits, and transit prohibitions.

2:47 PM

Ukraine brings back bodies of over 900 fallen soldiers.

These included service members killed in the Kurakhove, Pokrovsk, Bakhmut, Vuhledar, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, Sumy, and Kharkiv sectors of the front, as well as those in Russian morgues.

2:29 PM

Ukrainian airline resumes first regular flights since 2022, flying from Moldova to EU.

Ukrainian airline SkyUp Airlines has made its first regular flight since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion, flying on the Chisinau-Paris route on April 18, the Ain outlet reported, citing the company's press service.

2:02 PM

Russia detains Belarusian citizen, alleges SBU-linked bombing plot.

In a video released by Russian state-run RIA Novosti, the detainee, whose identity was not disclosed, said he was born in 2000 and is a citizen of Belarus.

1:25 PM

US reportedly tells European allies it seeks Ukraine ceasefire within weeks.

U.S. officials said they expect tangible progress soon, while European participants pushed Washington to prepare a harsher response if Moscow fails to engage, Bloomberg reported.

11:47 PM  (Updated:  April 18, 2025 12:45 pm)

Meloni, Trump meet in Washington, discuss Ukraine ceasefire, US tariffs.

"We have been defending the freedom of Ukraine together," Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said.

7:12 AM  (Updated:  April 18, 2025 12:37 pm)

Russian missile attack on Kharkiv on Good Friday kills 1, injures 87.

“According to preliminary information, the strikes on Kharkiv were carried out with ballistic missiles equipped with cluster munitions. That is why the affected areas are so extensive," Mayor Ihor Terekhov wrote.

10:03 AM  (Updated:  April 18, 2025 12:33 pm)

11 killed, 124 injured in Russian attacks against Ukraine over past day.

Moscow's forces launched an Iskander-M ballistic missile, five Iskander-K cruise missiles, and 37 attack and decoy drones against Ukraine overnight, the Air Force reported.

12:25 PM

Raiffeisen halts plans to sell Russian subsidiary, FT reports.

Raiffeisen Bank International has suspended efforts to sell its unit in Russia amid warming ties between Moscow and Washington, the Financial Times (FT) reported on April 18, citing undisclosed sources.

11:56 AM

China rejects Zelensky's claim of arms deliveries to Russia as 'groundless'.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian rejected the claims at a regular news conference, saying China has never made lethal weapons available to any party in the war.

11:17 AM

Ukraine-US minerals deal to respect EU entry efforts; talks to conclude on April 26, memorandum says.

The Ukrainian government on April 18 published the text of a recently signed memorandum outlining a pending minerals agreement with the United States.

11:00 AM

Serbia forms new government, expels top pro-Russian figure amid EU pressure.

The most notable personnel change was the removal of Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vulin, a longtime pro-Russian figure who has served in the Serbian government since 2013.

10:32 AM

'Not our war' — US may drop Russia-Ukraine ceasefire efforts unless progress is made, Rubio says.

Speaking after meeting European and Ukrainian officials for ceasefire talks, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that Trump is interested in reaching a deal but has other priorities.

10:25 AM

US reportedly closing 3 military bases in Syria, cuts troop presence.

The closures include Mission Support Site Green Village, MSS Euphrates, and a smaller unnamed facility. U.S. commanders will reportedly decide within 60 days whether to further reduce the troop presence.

9:14 AM

Russia calls Ukraine ceasefire 'unrealistic' despite Trump's peace efforts.

"Under the current circumstances, it is simply unrealistic to talk about a (full) ceasefire at this stage," Russia's U.N. Ambassador Vasily Nebenzya said.

8:12 AM

General Staff: Russia has lost 938,970 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022.

The number includes 1,530 casualties that Russian forces suffered over the past day.

6:36 AM

Zelensky meets with pro-Ukraine Republican US Congressman, thanks him for visit and support.

President Volodymyr Zelensky met with pro-Ukraine Republican U.S. Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick on April 17, to discuss peace and security guarantees for Ukraine.

5:01 AM

Russian Supreme Court removes Taliban from list of banned terrorist organizations.

Russia’s Supreme Court removed its designation of the Taliban as a terrorist organization, Russian state-controlled news agency TASS reported on April 17.

3:17 AM

Paris talks on Ukraine signal European role in ceasefire negotiations, French FM says.

"For a long time, we feared that the Europeans would not be around the table. Well, today, it is in Paris that the Europeans, the Americans, and the Ukrainians have met for the first time," French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said.

2:04 AM

US, Ukraine sign memorandum on minerals deal, Deputy PM says.

"It is important that we reaffirm through our agreements the desire of the American people to invest together with the Ukrainian people in a free, sovereign, and secure Ukraine," Deputy Prime Minister and Economic Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko said.

12:47 AM

US presents 'outlines of a durable, lasting peace' to Ukraine, Russia, Europe.

"(U.S.) President (Donald) Trump and the United States want this war to end, and have now presented to all parties the outlines of a durable and lasting peace," U.S. State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce said.

10:37 PM

War update

Ukraine war latest: China provides weapons to Russia, Zelensky says

10:25 PM

‘This is a murder’ – Zelensky rebukes Trump for calling deadly Sumy strike a mistake.

“Excuse me, but this is a murder. This strike went to the (city) center, it did not go to the front line,” President Volodymyr Zelensky said.

9:59 PM

Ukraine, US may sign minerals deal on April 24, Trump says.

"We have a minerals deal, which I guess is going to be signed on Thursday, next Thursday," U.S. President Donald Trump said on April 17.

9:28 PM

US votes against UN resolution over language on Russia's war.

Jonathan Shrier, acting U.S. representative to the U.N. Economic and Social Council, said Washington opposed the resolution because of repeated statements about the war in Ukraine that the U.S. considers “unhelpful in advancing the cause of peace.”